into a little yard, fenced high with many
planks, over or through which she could not see. Here she had been
allowed to walk. She had seen Durade once, the morning after Fresno and
his gang had brought her to Benton, when he had said that meals would
be sent her, and that she must stay there until he had secured better
quarters. He threatened to kill her if he caught her in another attempt
to escape. Allie might have scaled the high fence, but she was more
afraid of the unknown peril outside than she was of him.

She listened to the mysterious life of Benton, wondering and fearful;
and through the hours there came to her the nameless certainty of
something tremendous and terrible that was to happen to her. But spirit
and hope were unquenchable. Not prayer nor reason nor ignorance was the
source of her sustained and inexplicable courage. A star shone over
her destiny or a good angel hovered near. She sensed in a vague and
perplexing way that she must be the center of a mysterious cycle of
events. The hours were fraught with strain and suspense, yet they passed
fleetingly. A glorious and saving moment was coming--a meeting that
would be as terrible as sweet. Benton held her lover Neale and her
friend Larry. They were searching for her. She felt their nearness. It
was that which kept her alive. She knew the truth with her heart. And
while she thrilled at the sound of every step, she also shuddered,
for there was Durade with his desperadoes. Blood would be spilled.
Somewhere, somehow, that meeting would come. Neale would rush to her.
And the cowboy! ... Allie remembered the red blaze of his face, the
singular, piercing blue of his eye, his cool, easy, careless air, his
drawling speech--and underneath all his lazy gentleness a deadliness of
blood and iron.

So Allie Lee listened to all sounds, particularly to all footsteps,
waiting for that one which was to make her heart stand still.

Some one had entered the room adjoining hers and was now fumbling at the
rude door which had always been barred from the other side. It opened.
Stitt, the mute who attended and guarded her, appeared, carrying
bundles. Entering, he deposited these upon Allie's bed. Then he made
signs for her to change from the garb she wore to the clothes contained
in the bundles. Further, he gave her to understand that she was to
hurry, that she was to be taken away. With that he went out, shutting
and barring the door after him.

Allie's hands shook as sh